Victoria Falls Travel Guide

General Information
Getting There
See and Do
Accommodations
Tours

Country:Zimbabwe
City:Victoria Falls
Currency: Multi Currency (USD preferred)
Languae:Ndebele, Nambia, Tonga, English

Victoria Falls is a town in the western portion of Zimbabwe, across the border from Livingstone, Zambia, and near Botswana. The town lies immediately next to the falls. They are the major attraction, but this popular tourist destination offers both adventure seekers and sightseers plenty of opportunities for a longer stay. Tourist numbers are now back to historical levels, with many package tour operators adding Vic Falls back to their itineraries, and this is easily Zimbabwe’s busiest tourist destination.

History of Victoria Falls

It took thousands of years of erosion for Victoria Falls to appear as and where it does now. Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “the smoke that thunders” became known to the western world as Victoria Falls only after David Livingstone first set eyes on this astonishing natural wonder in 1855, a heartbeat ago in geological time.

Formation of Victoria Falls

During the Jurassic Period (150-200 million years ago), volcanic activity resulted in thick basalt deposits covering large parts of Southern Africa. As the lava cooled and solidified, cracks appeared in the hard basalt crust, which were filled with clay and lime. Erosion and the course of the mighty Zambezi River cut through these softer materials, forming the first of a series of waterfalls. Over at least 2000 years, the falls have receded 8 km upstream, as the Zambezi carved its way through seven gorges. This geological history can be seen in the dark basalt in the series of rocky gorges below the falls. It is believed that the Devil’s Cataract, which is presently the lowest point of Victoria Falls, will eventually become the next gorge as the river continues to cut its way back upstream. Essentially, the river falls into a gorge directly in front of the falls, and then flows through a narrow cutting. You can view the falls straight on from across the gorge.

Getting to and Around Victoria Falls

Arriving by Plane –The nearest airport to Victoria Falls is the Victoria Falls International Airport. You can book international flights connecting from Johannesburg or any other airport convenient to you. Connecting flights to Victoria Falls.

South African Airways
British Airways
Namibian Airways
Air Zimbabwe

From Victoria Falls Airport to Hotels

It is advisable to pre-book and airport transfer from Victoria Falls airport to Hotels or any location in Victoria Falls. Airport transfers are done by mostly travel agents in air-conditioned and licensed shuttle buses. The drives/guides with knowledge of Victoria Falls can assist you with further travel arrangements just in case you need to book activities, find a place to eat, find a bar etc. The transfer rate to Victoria Falls hotels or any location in Victoria Falls is $15 per person sharing. Refer to Vic Falls Transfers page if you require a transfers to Victoria Falls. Falcon Safaris an established tour operator and travel agent offers Vic Falls Airport Transfers at affordable rates. You can also get a taxi from Victoria Falls airport. Victoria Falls Taxi drivers are always at the airport waiting for those who did not make any arrangements. Taxi rates to Victoria Falls of any location in Victoria Falls range from US$20 to $30 per trip.

Arriving by Bus

If you are arriving by Intercape, Pathfinder or any other luxury buses that drop in town you will be dropped at Kingdom Hotel. You can get a taxi cab from there to any location. Costs range from US5-$15. Enquire if you need a cab arranged for you When arriving by economy buses, Bravo Tours, Extra City etc, you will be dropped at Chinotima Terminus. Here you will get the first insight of Victoria falls Township. It’s full of busy bodies. Taxis are available 24hrs to take you to any location in Victoria Falls from US$5-US$15. Enquire if you need a cab arranged from Chinotimba Terminus.

Arriving By Train

Taxis and shuttle buses are always at the train station whenever there is a train arriving. They will take you to any location in Victoria Falls at reasonable rates. You can also walk if you do not have much luggage. Victoria Falls hotel, Kingdom Hotel, Ilala lodge and Rainbow Hotel are located a walking distance from the train station with Victoria Falls Hotel & Kingdom Hotel just behind the station.

Self-Drive

When arriving to Victoria Falls via Bulawayo Road there are a few turns to note. The first turn is to Gorges Lodge on your left about 9km from the airport, followed by another to Stanley & livingstone Lodge, Old Ursula Camp and Jafuta lodge 6km down the left side of the grid. Down the road a few meters there is right turn to The Elephant Camp and Wild Horizons Elephant Wallow. Further up the road after Masuwe Bridge there is a left turn to Stanley & livingstone Hotel, Shearwater Elephant Rides all located inside Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. Further up the road to town the first turn on your left takes you to Mkhosana Township and the following turn on your right takes you to Chinotimba Townwhip. As you proceed about 1km there is another turn to your left that takes you to most Victoria Falls Bed & Breakfast lodges located in the high density suburb of Victoria Falls. Turn to your right before Victoria Falls Primary School. Lodges and Hotels located in this area include Victoria Falls Deluxe Suites, Inkindaba Lodge, pamusha Lodge, Wild Trakkers Lodge, Guest paradise Lodge, Mosi-oa-Tunya Lodge, lorries B&B, Mopani Lodge, Bayete Lodge, Pamusha Lodge etc. A few meters down the road there is Cresta Sprayview Hotel just before Reynard road turn which takes to the low density suburb and most of bed and breakfast lodges in Victoria Falls. Further down the road the first right turn at the round-about takes you to industrial sites, Adventure Lodge and Chinotimba Township. The proceeding left turn takes you to Ok Supermarket, Shoestrings Lodge and the City Center where you will find banks and other shops. The following left turn takes you to Rainbow Hotel, Victoria Falls Safari lodge, Victoria falls Safari Club, Elephant Hills Hotel, AZambezi River lodge, Victoria Falls Army Chalets and many jetty sites for Zambezi Sunset Cruises. Further down the road you will find Ilala lodge, Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls Hotel, the curio market, N1 Hotel and many restaurants & shops.

<h2>Visit the Victoria Falls</h2> Located on the Zambezi River in Africawhere Zambia meets Zimbabwe—and known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or "the smoke that thunders"—Victoria Falls takes pride of place as one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Attracting visitors from across the globe keen to admire the cascading torrent up-close, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been flowing for more than 100,000 years, and it continues to shape the surrounding landscape. Fittingly for a landmark of this magnitude, there are plenty of ways to see the falls. Thrill-seekers can tackle the raging white-water currents on a rafting adventure, take to the skies on a helicopter sightseeing flight, or leap into the void and swing through the mist on a bungee jump. Many of Victoria Falls' more relaxing travel options take visitors away from the falls themselves, to where native wildlife roams. Nature-lovers can take a single or multiday trip and spot crocodiles, elephants, and hippos in the Chobe National Park and Hwange National Park. Meanwhile, canoe safaris and sunset cruises offer spectacular views over the open wilderness from the mighty Zambezi River. And if you're looking for a true taste of African culture, you can book an experience with a local family to enjoy a traditional African lunch in their home. Since visiting the Victoria Falls is on everyone top list, the Victoria Falls national park is open year-round, but you will get a very different experience depending on the season in which you visit. It is advisable to book a guided tour of Victoria Falls for a better experience and insight into the culture, flora and fauna that surrounds this world wonder. Entrance Fee

Internationals US$30
Regionals US$20
Local US$7

In the rainy season (December to March), the water volume will be higher, and the falls will be more dramatic. You are guaranteed to get wet if you cross the bridge or walk along the trails winding near the falls. On the other hand, it is precisely because the volume of water is so high that your viewing of the actual Falls will be obscured: by all the spray. In the dry season, (April to October), the water volume will be lower, and by October, Victoria Falls might just be a trickle. You will get a clearer view of the rocky ledge beneath the falls, which is pretty spectacular by itself, but the falls might be somewhat underwhelming. This said, it is still a great experience visiting the falls in the dry season (for instance November), as you can experience both “falls” and the rocky gorge.